In the latest of a seemingly relentless run of problems for Toyota, the Japanese car giant is taking a Lexus four by four off the market in the US because there are fears it could roll.
Notable US consumer group Consumer Reports said that when it put the GX 460 model through emergency handling risks the back end of the vehicle was prone to sliding to the point that the vehicle was liable to roll over before the car’s electronic stability control system acted to avert the risk.
Toyota says it believes the model is safe but is suspending sales as a precautionary measure pending further tests.
There have been 5,000 sales of the GX 460 model since it went on sale early this year.
Last year the company – renowned worldwide for its efficiency systems – suffered a series of setbacks including faulty accelerator pedals and braking systems which forced it to recall eight million cars. It has been fined $16.4m (£10.7m) by the US Transport Department.
Click here to read business mogul Anand Sharma’s views on why Toyota’s lean manufacturing is not to blame for its quality issues.
